Once upon a time: On New Year's Eve, 1899, English inventor H. G. Wells tells a group of friends that he has not only developed new theories about the fourth dimension — time — but built a machine which will enable him to travel through it. His dinner companions dismiss him as a dreamer. But they'll have to take him seriously once he actually travels 800,000 years into the future - that is, if he ever manages to find his way back.

Inappropriate material: There's some violence, and a few mildly scary moments.

Why kids will like it: The idea of time travel has always been a fascinating one (and this story avoids the headache-inducing paradoxes of most by charging resolutely into the future, not the past). Children will enjoy the time-lapse photography and colorful effects, while the post-apocalypstic world Wells' discovers — of the pretty albeit apathetic Eloi, and the fierce boogey-men Morlocks — is perfect fairy-tale stuff.

Why adults will like it: Producer/director George Pal was a puppeteer and budding filmmaker who fled fascist Europe only to find real success in Hollywood; this film, along with "The War of the Worlds" was probably his best, and shows his interest in classic stories, as well as his ability to wed wondrous spectacle with strong performances. Rod Taylor, making his American film debut, is a properly athletic hero and Yvette Mimieux — only 17 when filming began — is lovely as the gentle Weena. (The shaggy Morlocks, however, may not be quite as scary, or convincing, as you remember from childhood.)

Fast forward/freeze frame: Although it eventually travels 800,000 years into the future, it does take rather a long time to get there; be prepared for a slightly slow beginning.

Fun trivia: Taylor's onscreen chums here went on to drive a lot of `60s TV, and include Sebastian Cabot of "Family Affair," Whit Bissell of "The Time Tunnel" and Alan Young — "WIL-burrrr!" — of "Mr. Ed." And the voice of "the talking rings" is Paul Frees, the occasional actor and inescapable voice-over artist who did everything from narrating "The War of the Worlds" and "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" to doing John and George on TV's cartoon "The Beatles."

Teachable moments: Although it's doubtful Wells would have been amused to find himself turned into a character from one of his own books, he would have appreciated the film's attention to his ideas - primarily the promotion of science, and a hatred of wasteful and devastating wars. This novel, or any of his other "scientific romances," would be a good choice for older children.

Double features: The terrific "Time After Time" brings back Wells, and his magical machine, for another trip to his future — and our present — as he pursues Jack the Ripper, while in "Somewhere in Time" Christopher Reeve wills himself into the past in pursuit of a legendary beauty.